This is a quote from Ottobass32 from a different post
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I lost two pigs on a horny toad. I love that bait, but the strike to hook to land ratio is terrible for me. Do you have any suggestions.
Thought I would reask the question because this seems to be on of those “HOT” baits this year.
I guess i’d like to know what rod/reel he’s using, line, hook size….etc…
Ben?
I am using a high speed quantum accurist with a 7 foot St. Croix rod that is heavy action. I use a Gami. EWG Superline hook 5 ot. I am using PowerPro 50 lb test. I will tell you that it is not because of a week hookset because a lot of the people I fish with make fun of how hard I set the hook.
I lost one piggie because he hit it almost as soon as it hit the water, he took it down and went to set the hook and there was nothing but a big boil.
I lost the second piggie while I was reeling in the horny toad he took it down, and I set the hook and brought her up on the surface only to lose her. My horny toad came back and the legs were gone, and the point of the hook never popped out.
What am I doing wrong…any suggestions.
Ben
I would look at the possibility of the hooks tearing out. Sloppy can probly field this one better but somthing has to give.
Are you possibly setting the hook too early? You and I have fished and I know you’ve got a good jump shot, but if you’re only hooking the ends of their mouth, it would be easy for them to shake off. Like any plastic topwater, It’s usually important to give them that extra second to ensure they have the bait, that way when you set it home, it’s IN their mouth and you get a #5 gammy through the roof!! 
Just a thought 
I understand this has nothing to do with the question at hand, but I thought I’d offer this.
This come directly from PowerPro.
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Setting the Hook
Anglers on Saturday morning TV shows often set the hook in bass like Samurai warriors beheading the enemy. This may be a fine technique with monofilament line, but PowerPro doesn’t require such a violent motion. When you get a strike, relax; a gentle snap of your wrist will set the hook. Because PowerPro doesn’t stretch like nylon lines, you won’t get that rubber-band effect. Every inch you move your rod tip equals an inch of movement at the lure.
Setting your Drag
PowerPro lines are so small for their strength that you may be tempted to set your drag higher than normal, but remember, your rod or reel may not be designed to handle the same unbelievable loads as your line.
I have to believe setting the hook with PowerPro too hard yields a great opportunity for losing fish. I have it on 2 poles and use it for frogs and buzzbaits. Both rods are Med. Heavy action. The last thing you want is a whole in the fish’s mouth so big the hook can easily fall out. That’s what you’ll get if you use too stiff of a rod and a bone-crushing hook set. The inside of a Bass’ mouth is basically soft tissue.
I’m not saying the way I fish and what I fish with is correct, but I rarely lose fish on a slop frog after the hook-up. That’s not to say I don’t miss fish either. Somedays they just don’t completely eat a frog. Not sure why.
I don’t lose many on a slop frog, but I do sometimes have trouble hooking up with the horny toads, on the same rods and line, so I don’t know if it is from the line, rod, or hookset. I think it may have some to do with the angle the bait is put on the hook. If the hook point sits too far into the bait (IE pointing down into the back slightly), I don’t seem to hook up as well as I do if the hook point rides flat or ever so slightly up.
Blue – excellent post – thanks.
In some of the haevier plastic baits, I will bend the point off the hook out just slightly. Aside from that, I was using superlines with heavy action St Croix Avids last year and was tearing out a lot. Since then, I have switched all my superlines to med and medheavy rods and have all but eliminated pulling hooks out. I hope this helps.
Bassman
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I lost two pigs on a horny toad. I love that bait, but the strike to hook to land ratio is terrible for me. Do you have any suggestions.
Your original post stated that you lost these fish during a tournament. I would suggest throwing a higher percentage bait during a tournament until you figure out what’s going on…
I know that. Its just that I could not get bit on anything else for some reason. I tried swim jigs through the pads only to have the floating eel grass get stuck to the jig on almost every cast. I also used flukes/senkos to no avail. Many of the other guys were pitching jigs or texas rigged plastics to the same fish but would not get bit. I could come right behind them and get the fish to blow up.
Another question I have about horny toads is why is it that they fish will usually only blow up once. I had many fish completely miss the bait, and I would cast right back over them with no results. I also tried bring the bait at a different direction with no results. The only thing that really worked was throwing a swim jig right behind the missed fish. This provided only a few more strikes.
Slop,
You seem to be the voice of experience here, so let me throw another question at you about hook size, if you’d be so kind. How do you guys know which size to throw? By my estimation, even a #4 EWG hook looks to big for a Horny Toad. Same applies for those new Super Hogs. I was tossing one of those on like a 1 or 2/0 w.g. hook. I think someone mentioned at least using a 4/0 in that other Super Hog thread here on the board. Also, how do you guys get those horny toads to stay on the hook? The one time I threw one, it kept sliding down the bend.
By the way, I’ve healed emotionally from my last two outings (which were posted basically as rants 
LOL) and may venture out onto Pool 8 this week or weekend!
A drop of super glue on your hook keeps the Horney Toad from slipping down the hook. A big thing with hooks, is you want to make you have a big enough hook for the amount of plastic you are using. For thicker bait, you need to use a bigger hook. On Super Hogs, I have been using Eagle Claw EWG 4/0 and Horney Toads a 5/0 hook.
Now you can’t say I never give out any tips. Here is what I use…
Heavy-duty 5/0 hooks, 60-degree bend and an Oldham screw lock on the eye. The screw lock holds the head of the lure into position on the hook, which extends the life of and catches for the Horny Toad lure.
For more info click here.
– d-nort
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How do you guys know which size to throw? By my estimation, even a #4 EWG hook looks to big for a Horny Toad.
I try to use a hook that is proportionate to the bait i’m using. Full Size Brush Hawg gets a #5, most tubes get a #3, …. Just mix and match until you find the hook size that fits for you…. If you think a #4 is too big, downsize, and see if that works……
5/0 without question for a horny toad IMO.
5/0 here. Thats a thick bait. Needs a big hook. I have mixed feelings on super glueing it on though. I know how it makes them last longer and stay on the hook just right but I also worry about it clogging the hook all up upon catching one. I prefer it to go flying up the line and out of the way. IMO
Does anyone know if you can get those hooks D-Nort posted in the La Crosse area. D-Nort thanks for the little tip; I can see how that will help my hook up ratio.
Enjoy the fall fishing bananza.
Ben
I don’t know about getting the hooks in the LAX area, but don’t spend your money on the “Zoom” hook. Diachi makes that same hook and is about half the price. You can also buy just the screw locks and add them to any brand hook.
Just my two cents worth.
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